Ukraine approves gambling addiction strategy and action plan through 2035

Ukraine has adopted its first national strategy specifically focused on reducing gambling-related harm and addressing gambling addiction through 2035. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the strategy on 28 August 2026 alongside an operational plan covering 2027 to 2029, establishing a broader government framework for prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation and enforcement.

The policy represents a shift towards a coordinated national response rather than relying on individual regulatory measures. According to official government information, the strategy brings together public health, education, social protection, law enforcement and gambling regulation as part of a common approach to reducing the risks associated with gambling.

Ukraine establishes a wider framework to address gambling harm

The newly approved strategy is intended to operate through 2035 and is supported by a defined operational plan for the initial 2027 to 2029 period. The government says each strategic objective is linked to specific measures, responsible institutions and implementation timelines.

This structure is significant because gambling addiction is being addressed not only as a question of market regulation but also as a public health and social issue. The approach includes prevention, access to support services and measures intended to reduce the wider social and economic effects associated with harmful gambling.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation has played a central role in developing the policy framework. The ministry previously published the draft strategy for public consultation in May 2026, describing the proposed approach as a coordinated system covering awareness, early identification, treatment, support for affected people and action against the illegal gambling market.

The final strategy was subsequently approved by the government on 28 August 2026. Official announcements describe it as the first strategy of its kind in Ukraine.

Prevention becomes a central part of the policy

Prevention is one of the main pillars of the strategy. Authorities plan to expand public information campaigns explaining gambling risks while introducing educational initiatives in schools.

The government also intends to strengthen mechanisms for the early identification of people who may be at greater risk of developing harmful gambling behaviours. Screening and other early detection tools are expected to form part of a broader prevention model.

This emphasis on earlier intervention could become an important element of Ukraine's gambling policy. Rather than waiting until a person experiences severe financial, psychological or social consequences, the strategy seeks to identify risks earlier and connect individuals with appropriate support.

Official material also highlights the need to improve access to treatment, psychological assistance and rehabilitation. The strategy therefore extends beyond awareness campaigns by recognising that effective responses to gambling addiction require longer-term support services.

Support for families and affected individuals

The policy also recognises that the consequences of harmful gambling can extend beyond the individual player.

Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation said during the earlier development stage that the strategy would consider the financial and psychological consequences experienced by families affected by gambling-related problems. It also outlined plans to strengthen the preparedness of doctors, psychologists and social workers dealing with such cases.

This broader perspective places family support alongside treatment and prevention. It also reflects the government's stated objective of reducing the social, economic and medical risks connected with gambling rather than treating the issue solely as an individual matter.

Specific measures for military personnel and veterans

Military personnel and veterans are another important focus of the strategy.

The government's programme provides for dedicated measures intended to address gambling-related risks among military personnel and veterans. Official descriptions include separate support programmes, alongside treatment, psychological assistance and rehabilitation measures.

The focus follows a series of government actions concerning restrictions on gambling participation by service members. In March 2026, the Ministry of Digital Transformation published a draft government resolution concerning procedures to restrict military personnel from visiting gambling establishments and participating in gambling activities.

Separately, PlayCity reported in August that a tender had been launched for a system intended to enable automatic restriction of military personnel's access to gambling. The announcement appeared on the regulator's official website on 24 August 2026, shortly before the strategy was formally adopted.

These measures indicate that the treatment of gambling risk among military personnel is developing alongside the wider national strategy rather than being addressed as an isolated issue.

Stronger action against illegal gambling

Another major component of the strategy is enforcement against the illegal gambling sector.

The government plans to strengthen measures aimed at blocking illegal gambling websites and advertising while increasing efforts to address criminal activity associated with unlawful gambling operations. The official strategy also places greater emphasis on coordinated enforcement across relevant state institutions.

PlayCity has separately positioned the blocking of illegal gambling websites as one of its core responsibilities. Its official platform also provides mechanisms for reporting suspected illegal casinos and accessing information about licensed operators.

The legal framework in Ukraine already provides for penalties relating to the organisation or conduct of gambling without the required authorisation. The national legislation database also contains provisions addressing illegal gambling activity and related enforcement measures.

By combining preventive action with enforcement against unlawful operators, the new strategy seeks to address both demand-side risks and problems associated with the illegal gambling market.

Around 40 public institutions involved

Implementation of the strategy will involve a wide network of government bodies and public institutions.

According to the official announcement from PlayCity, around 40 bodies are expected to work under the common plan. Those named include PlayCity, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Veterans Affairs and Ministry of Social Policy. Law enforcement institutions including the Bureau of Economic Security, Security Service of Ukraine and National Police are also part of the wider framework.

The involvement of so many institutions highlights the government's intention to treat gambling addiction as a cross-sector policy issue. Responsibility will extend from education and public awareness through healthcare and social support to regulatory supervision and law enforcement.

Historical spending figures underline the scale of concern

The original material for this report cited estimates indicating that Ukrainians spent nearly UAH 400 million, equivalent to about €7.7 million, per day on online casinos in 2023. On that basis, monthly spending was reported at more than UAH 12 billion.

These figures should be understood as historical estimates concerning gambling activity in 2023 rather than as a current measurement of gambling expenditure in 2026. Government policy announcements surrounding the new strategy focus primarily on reducing harm and improving oversight rather than presenting these historical figures as a current market indicator.

The scale of spending cited in earlier reporting helps explain why gambling-related harm has become an increasingly prominent policy issue. It also provides context for the government's emphasis on prevention, responsible gambling measures, treatment and restrictions on illegal activity.

PlayCity takes a larger role in the regulatory framework

The creation and ongoing development of PlayCity is also relevant to the implementation of the strategy. The agency describes its mandate as promoting a transparent, controlled and legal gambling and lottery market while supporting responsible gambling measures and action against illegal operators.

Its responsibilities include licensing, online monitoring and measures connected with restricted participation in gambling. PlayCity's official platform also provides information relating to self-exclusion and gambling-related support mechanisms.

The new national strategy gives that regulatory work a broader policy setting. Instead of viewing responsible gambling solely through licensing and compliance, Ukraine is now placing it within a long-term framework that also includes education, healthcare, rehabilitation and social policy.

What the 2035 strategy could mean for Ukraine

The significance of the new strategy will ultimately depend on implementation and measurable results. The government has established a long-term horizon through 2035 while setting an operational framework for 2027 to 2029. That creates an opportunity for Ukraine to evaluate whether specific interventions improve early detection, access to treatment and protection of vulnerable groups.

The emphasis on coordination may also reduce the risk of fragmented policymaking. With ministries, regulators, healthcare institutions and law enforcement bodies working under one framework, the government can pursue a more consistent response to gambling-related harm.

At the same time, the success of the policy will depend on practical implementation, adequate support services and effective enforcement. A formal strategy establishes direction, but its impact will be determined by how consistently the measures are applied and evaluated.

Conclusion

Ukraine's adoption of a national gambling addiction strategy through 2035 marks a significant development in the country's approach to gambling-related harm. The policy brings prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, education, military support and enforcement into a single long-term framework rather than addressing these areas through disconnected measures.

The approval of the 2027 to 2029 operational plan also gives the strategy a more practical foundation, with designated institutions and defined actions forming part of the implementation process.

For Ukraine, the central challenge now moves from policy design to delivery. Effective public awareness, accessible treatment, responsible gambling safeguards and sustained action against illegal operators will be important to achieving the strategy's objectives. The longer-term outcome will depend on whether those measures translate into measurable reductions in gambling-related harm while ensuring that people experiencing gambling problems and their families can obtain meaningful support.

FAQs

What is Ukraine's new gambling addiction strategy?
Ukraine's new strategy is a national policy framework designed to reduce gambling-related harm and address gambling addiction through prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation and enforcement.

When was the strategy approved?
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the strategy on 28 August 2026 together with an operational plan covering 2027 to 2029.

How long will Ukraine's gambling addiction strategy run?
The strategy is designed to remain in force through 2035, providing a long-term framework for government action.

What measures are included in the strategy?
Measures include public awareness campaigns, gambling education in schools, risk screening, treatment, psychological support, rehabilitation and stronger action against illegal gambling websites and advertising.

Will schools address gambling risks?
Yes. The strategy includes educational initiatives intended to explain gambling risks and the potential consequences of harmful gambling behaviour.

Does the strategy include support for military personnel?
Yes. Dedicated measures are planned for military personnel and veterans, including treatment, psychological assistance and rehabilitation support.

What role does PlayCity have?
PlayCity is one of the institutions involved in implementing the strategy. Its responsibilities include gambling regulation, licensing, online monitoring, responsible gambling measures and action against illegal operators.

Will Ukraine target illegal gambling websites?
Yes. The strategy calls for systematic action to block illegal gambling websites and advertising while strengthening efforts against unlawful activity connected with gambling.

How many public bodies are expected to participate?
Official information from PlayCity says around 40 government bodies and institutions will participate in implementing the strategy.

What is the significance of the strategy?
Its significance lies in bringing prevention, healthcare, education, social support, regulation and law enforcement together under one long-term national framework for addressing gambling-related harm.